In vitro antiplasmodial activity of some medicinal plants from Nigeria

Abstract

Evaluation of activity of some medicinal plants used as malarial remedies by the Ibibios of Niger Delta region of Nigeria against Plasmodium falciparum was carried out. Crude extracts as well as fractions from promising plants were investigated for antiplasmodial activity against erythrocytic stages of chloroquine (CQ)-sensitive 3D7 and CQ-resistant INDO strains of Plasmodium falciparum in culture using the fluorescence-based SYBR Green I assay. Cytotoxicity was determined against HeLa cells using MTT assay. GCMS of active fractions were carried out. Various plants extracts exhibited varying degrees of antiplasmodial activity. Promising antiplasmodial activity was found in Setaria megaphylla ethyl acetate leaf fraction [IC50 = 8.15 μg/mL (3D7) 8.05 μg/mL (INDO)] and good activities were found in Hippocratea africana [root ethyl acetate fraction IC50 = 25.95 μg/mL (3D7), 15.94 μg/ml (INDO)] and Solenostemon monostachyus (petroleum ether leaf fraction [IC50 = 25.99 μg/mL (3D7), 12.30 μg/ml (INDO)]. The leaf extract of S. megaphylla whose fractions exerted the highest activity against Plasmodium falciparum elicited moderate cytotoxicity (TC50- 45μg/ml). GCMS results identified some pharmacologically active compounds. These results provide validation for the traditional usage of some medicinal plants against malaria by the Ibibios in Niger Delta region of Nigeria.